Guarded juice extracting machine



Jan. 7, 1936. E. e. sTREcKFus's I 2,026,918

GUARDED JUICE EXTRACTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1935 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY$ Jan. 7, 1936. E. G. sTREcKFuss 2,026,913

GUARDED JUICE EXTRACTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 7, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,026,918 GUARDED JUICE EXTRACTING MACHINE Elmer G. Streckfuss, Cincinnati,

Ohio, assignor to The Cincinnati Time Recorder Company,

Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 20, 1933, Serial No. 652,716

13 Claims.

My invention relates to fruit juice extracting devices in which the juice is extracted from pieces of fruit by pressure thereof against a bulb, grating member, or reamer, while the latter is rotated rapidly. It is applicable to machines of the character in which the machine also has a strainer rotating with the reamer, through which the extracted juice is discharged. It also is applicable to such machines which are not provided with strainers. Either kind of machine has a bowl surrounding the reamer to a greater or less extent.

Where there is no strainer, a piece of fruit thus escaping the grasp of the operator, becoming unis balanced on the rotating reamer, is thrown violently against the side of the bowl and down into i the space between the reamer and side of the bowl. In attempting to recover the piece, it frequently happens that the operator has the skin of the hand or wrist torn by contact with the reamer.

Where the strainer is used, the piece is lodged against a wall of thestrainer, unbalancing the machine and causing the entire machine to move along the table or counter, with possibility of falling therefrom, distorting the strainer, ii the latter is made of thin sheet metal; and when thus carried around with the wall of the rapidly rotating strainer, the piece of fruit may be thrown vioinjury to the operator or other persons, or surrounding objects. I

The object of my invention is to prevent such displacement of a piece of fruit escaping from the operators hand, limiting the displacement to such degree that no dangerous amount of centrifugal force may be exerted on the piece of friut.

A further object is to guard against the displacement of the piece of fruit without interfering materially with the flow of juice outward and downward from the reamer.

A further object is to provide a guard for the purpose, in such a way that it is readily detachable from other parts of the machine, for convenience of cleaning the guard and other parts.

A further object is to combine with the guard, especially ina machine with a strainer rotating with the reamer, means for preventing escape of juice, seeds and the like from the strainer, and preferably to provide the latter means as a support for the guard in its detachable relation to the machine.

Other objects will appear in the course of the lently upward and out of the bowl, with possible following description, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical axial section of a juice extracting machine in which the .strainer rotates with the reamer, embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross section of the same on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view corresponding to the section of Figure 1, showing a modified guard for the machine of Figure 1. 10

Figure 4 is a similar view showing a second modified guard for said machine.

Figure 5 is a vertical axial section of a juice extracting machine of well known type in which there is no strainer, and in which the bowl has an 15 upper part or section extending over the reamer, with a side opening for insertion of the fruit onto the reamer, embodying my invention.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view corresponding to the section of Figure 5, showing a modified 20 guard for the machine of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a similar view showing a second modified guard for said machine.

In the example of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, my invention is embodied in a machine such as is 25 fully disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651,915, filed January 16.

1933. This machine comprises a base or pedestal I, a motor 2 supported therein on an upright axis, with a shaft 3 extending upward through the 30 bottom of the bowl 4, which is supported on top of the pedestal I and has a lateral spout 5 leading from its sloping bottom 6. Mounted on the upper end of the motor shaft 3 to turn therewith, is the reamer and strainer unit, comprising the 35 central bulb or reamer l of approximately conical shape, and the cup-shaped strainer 8 with a fiat bottom 9 unitary with and extending outward from the bottom of the reamer 1, and vertical cylindrical walls l0 having their rim I I in a horizontal plane slightly below the horizontal plane of the rim l2 of the bowl 4'. The lower part 01' the strainer walls I 0 and theadjacent annular area of the bottom 9 of the strainer have perforations l3. This strainer strains the juice coming 45 from the reamer l, and also acts centrifugally, especially in its outer regions, to promote the outflow of the juice. The bowl has a lid'lt with a hinge l5 at one side, on which it is swung to open position as shown, when the machine is being 50 used. This lid i4 is so mounted that it leaves a space over the bowl rim I2 when closed.

My improvement comprises the annular guard i6, comprising a top fiat rim' portion l1 and downwardly tapering prongs [8 depending at intervals from the inner edge of the rim portion. These prongs l8 terminate some distance from the bottom 9 of the strainer, and preferably slightly converge in their downward extent. These prongs l8 are arranged in a circle concentric with the reamer I, and at such spacing therefrom as to leave ample annular space therearound, into which pieces of fruit of a given range of sizes may be conveniently inserted over the reamer I, with sufficient room for the hand which grasps the fruit, As the piece of fruit ordinarily is a half of an approximately spherical fruit, such as an orange, grape fruit, lemon, lime, or the like, the curvature of the fruit allows space for the fingers and thumb grasping the fruit, at the top of the guard, while the lower rim of the half of the fruit will lie much closer to the lower portions of the prongs IS. The convergence of the prongs downwardly additionally contributes to this effect.

The rim portion I! has its outer peripheral part underlying the annular inner edge portion of the flat retaining ring l9, to which it is fastened by screws 20. This ring l9 acts to prevent splashing of juice and escape of seeds and the like out over the rim of the strainer 8 under the centrifugal action thereof. It has a depending annular flange 2| fitting inside the bowl rim I2 and acting as a barrier to passage of unstrained juice andseeds down between the bowl and strainer rims. It also has radial lugs 22 at intervals, resting upon the bowl rim I2, supporting the ring l9 and the guard IS. The construction and arrangement of the ring 19 as just described, is fully disclosed and claimed in my copending application above mentioned. It will be seen that in my present invention this ring performs the additional function of supporting the guard [6. The flange 2| coacts with the bowl rim l2 to center the guard relative to the reamer 1.

It will be understood that the guard 16 and ring l9 may be integrally formed. However, I prefer to have the guard and ring detachably connected, as by the screws 20 as shown, so that guards of different diameters may be substituted for use with fruits of different sizes. For instance, a larger guard may be provided for use with large grape fruits, another for smaller grape fruits and large oranges, and a third smaller one for use with small oranges, lemons and limes. It is not necessary for diameter of the guard to very closely approximate the diameter of the fruit, however, and guards of two sizes may serve for all of the different sized fruits above instanced.

Even if the fruit is of considerably less diameter than the guard, it cannot be displaced so far as to dangerously unbalance the machine or as to acquire such centrifugal force as to be fully displaced from the reamer. I find that in case the fruit is released from the hand, it merely slowly revolves within the guard 15 by its light bearing on the reamer I, partly following the reamer and partly retarded by the guard. It is thus readily regrasped by the operator with no danger to the latter. The improvement not only is a safety appliance, but adds to the efliciency of the machine and operator by relieving the operator of fear of injury and leaving the fruit immediately available to the operator in case of chance release by the latter.

The prongs l8, spaced apart as they are, leave ample space for exit of the juice. The termination of the prongs amply far from the bottom 9 of the strainer also permits the free passage of the juice outward in the strainer, under the centrifugal action, which is most effective along the strainer bottom 9 upon the juice escapingfrom the fruit at the base of the reamer l. The tapering of the prongs l8, from ample junction width at the rim portion l1 to their lower ends, adds to the width of inter-prong juice exit spaces without weakening the guard structure. The prongs 18 may, if desired, have considerable resilience, springing out for occasional extra large fruits.

My machine is especially adapted for disassembly of its parts, as the reamer and strainer from the shaft, as set forth and claimed in my co-pending application in which the retaining ring I9 is also readily removable from the bowl. By mounting the guard [6 on this ring, it is readily removed therewith. Thus, the machine, including the guard, is readily cleaned and kept in sanitary condition.

In Figure 3 I have shown my guard of modified construction, comprising a shallow cylindrical shell l6a with the upper flat rim portion l'la'detachably secured by the screws 20 to the retaining ring l9 as in the first example. The shell lfia has fairly large perforations |8a substantially throughout its area, for the passage of the juice, corresponding to the spaces between the prongs IS in the first example. It will be understood that this guard would fit in the machine of Figure 1 with its lower rim spaced up from the strainer bottom 9 as the lower ends of the prongs l8 are in that example, so that full space for exit of juice is afforded.

In the second modification of Figure 4, the guard comprises a cylindrical shell l6b of woven wire netting or like foraminous material, supported on a light framework of circumferential rings l6c and vertical bars 16d; the upper ends of the latter being detachably secured to the retaining ring l9 by the screws 20. This guard would fit in the machine of Figure l with its lower rim spaced up from the strainer bottom. The frame elements and "id are preferably on the outer side of the foraminous shell l6b, leaving the latter substantially smooth interiorly where contacted by the fruit during the guarding action.

In Figure 5 I have shown a machine of a type different from my machine of Figure 1, in which the pedestal la containing and supporting the motor 2a, with upstanding shaft 3a, supports on its top the bowl 4a. having a lower lateral spout 5a to which its bottom 6a slopes. The reamer 1a is mounted on the upper end of the motor shaft 3a to turn therewith, and instead of a lid, the bowl has an upper part Ma of dome shape, with an upwardly and outwardly presented access opening Mb at one side. This type of machine is well known in the art, the fruit being thrust in onto the reamer 1a through opening 14b and held thereon by the hand. Such machines have not been provided with rotary strainers, but difficulty arises when the fruit escapes from the operator's grasp, in that the fruit is forced, under the centrifugal action due to the unbalanced position it assumes on the reamer, out to the side of the bowl and its upper part or dome Ha, whence it rebounds down between the reamer and bowl walls, making it dangerous for the operator to recover it while the machine is running, as before alluded to. Of course, the fruit may be safely recovered if the machine is stopped, but the operator cannot be relied upon to do this, and is apt to take the risk of injury to save time.

I provide my guard for this type of machine so as to prevent this disposition of escaping fruit pieces, and thereby remove all danger of injury to the operators.

The principle of operation of my guard in this machine is. thesame as in the first example, the construction being modified only inaccordance with the difierent construction of the upper parts of the machine. The guard Hie comprises the upper portion lie with the prongs iilc depending from its lower annular rim, in the same relation to the reamer as is had by the prongs M of Figure 1. The upper portion lie flares upwardly, and curves laterally and upward, its upper outer rim i'lc being flanged to fit around the edges of the access opening Mb, in which the portion. lie fits. The inner or rear side ite of this portion lie is bulged inwardly or rearwardly, so that ample space is left for the hand in application of the fruit to the reamer. The action of the guard will-be apparent in view of the previous description as to Figure 1.

In Figure 6, the guard liif is similar to that of Figure 5, but has the lower portion provided with perforations itf instead of being pronged, corresponding to the perforated shell guard of Figure 3 in the first machine. In Figure 7, the lower portion of the guard liig is formed as a framework lBh, supporting netting 88g, corresponding to the guard of Figure 4 in the first machine. It is understood that either modified guard, of Figure 6 or Figure 7, will fit in the machine of Figure 5 as described for the guard Hie therein.

In either the machine of Figure 1 or that of Figure 5, without my guard, the fruit escaping the grasp of the operator may fly out of the machine anywhere on the bowl rim of Figure 1, or through the access opening Nb of Figure 5, striking the operator or others, or surrounding objects. My guard in either machine efiectively precludes such an accident.

Other modifications may occur, and I am not limited to the precise disclosure herein, but what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:--

1. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer in said bowl, and a guard surrounding said reamer relatively to which the reamer is rotatable, admitting the fruit to the reamer to be held thereto by the hand of the operator and adapted to prevent the fruit from becoming substantially displaced from said reamer toward the side of the bowl if the fruit escapes from the hand, said guard comprising an upper rim and prongs depending from said rim.

2. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer in said bowl, and a guard surrounding said reamer relatively to which the reamer is rotatable, admitting the fruit tothe reamer to be held thereto by the hand of the operator and adapted to prevent the fruit from becoming substantially displaced from said reamer toward the side of the bowl if the fruit escapes from the hand, said guard comprising an upper rim and prongs depending from said rim and terminating short of the bottom of the bowl.

3. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer and a cup-shaped strainer surrounding and rotating with said reamer, a guard relatively to which the reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said strainer tor the purposes set forth.

4. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer and a cup-shaped strainer surrounding and rotating with said reamer, a guard relatively to which the reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said 5 strainer for the purposes set forth, said guard comprising an upper rim and prongs depending from said rim and terminating short of the bottom of said strainer.

5. In a juice extracting machine comprising a 10 bowl, a rotatable reamer and a cup-shaped strainer surrounding and rotating with said reamer, a guard relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said strainer for the purposes set forth, and a sup- 15 port for said guard supported on the rim of said bowl.

6. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer and a cup-shaped strainer surrounding and rotating with said at reamer, a guard relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said strainer for the purposes set forth, said guard comprising anupper rim and prongs depending from said rim and terminating short of the bot- 25 tom of said strainer, and a supporting ring attached to said rim and supported by the rim of said bowl.

7. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer and a cup-shaped $0 strainer surrounding and rotating with said reamer, a guard relatively towhich said reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said strainer for the purposes set forth, said guard having an upper rim, and an annular extension on said rim, extending across the rim of said strainer andsupported on the rim of said bowl and preventing escape of juice from the rim of said strainer over the rim of the bowl.

8. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer and'a cup-shaped strainer surrounding and rotating with said reamer, a guard'relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said strainer for the purposes set forth, said guard having an upper rim, and an annular extension on ,said rim, extending across the rim of said strainer and supported on the rim of said bowl and preventing escape of juice from the rim of said strainer over the rim of the bowl, said an- 50 nular extension being detachable from said bowl rim for ready removal of said guard from the machine. -9. In a juice extracting machine comprising a rotatable reamer and a bowl surrounding said 55 reamer and extending thereabove and having a side opening in its upper part, a guard relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said how] and having an upper laterally curved extension opening to said side 50 opening of said bowl.

10. In a juice extracting machine comprising a rotatable reamer and a bowl surrounding said reamer and extending thereabove and having a side opening in its upper part, a guard relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, surrounding said reamer inside said bowl and having an upper laterally curved extension fitting in said side opening of said bowl and supported by the edges of said opening. 10 11. In a juice extracting machine comprising a rotatable reamer and a bowl surrounding said reamer and extending thereabove and having a side opening in its upper part, a guard relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, comprising a lower part surrounding said reamer and having openings therethrough, and an upper part laterally curved and opening to said side opening of said bowl.

12. In a juice extracting machine comprising a rotatable reamer and a bowl surrounding said reamer and extending thereabove and having a side opening in its upper part, a guard relatively to which said reamer is rotatable, comprising an upper part opening to said side opening of said bowl and curving downwardly and inwardly, with its lower end formed as a series of prongs depending around said reamer and terminating short of the bottom of the bowl.

13. In a juice extracting machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable reamer in said bowl, and a guard surrounding said reamer relatively to which the reamer is rotatable, admitting the fruit to the reamer to be held thereto by the operator and adapted to prevent the fruit from becoming substantially displaced from said reamer toward the side of the bowl, said guard comprising an upper rim supported on said bowl and a cylindrical member depending from said rim, sur- 10 rounding said reamer, and terminating short 0! the bottom of the bowl.

ELIMER G. STRECKFUSS. 

